Sex Differences in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Focus on High Functioning Children and Adolescents

Concetta de Giambattista; Patrizia Ventura; Paolo Trerotoli; Francesco Margari; Lucia Margari

doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.539835

Sex Differences in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Focus on High Functioning Children and Adolescents

Front Psychiatry. 2021 Jul 9:12:539835. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.539835. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Concetta de Giambattista¹, Patrizia Ventura¹, Paolo Trerotoli², Francesco Margari³, Lucia Margari¹

Affiliations

¹ Child Neuropsychiatric Unit, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy.
² Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy.
³ Psychiatric Emergencies in Adolescence Unit, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy.

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has historically been studied, known, and diagnosed in males. Females tend to remain unidentified, especially those with average intelligence abilities. This sex/gender difference might be partially explained by biological risk factors, but it is probably also bound to methodological issues. The present study aims to examine phenotypic characteristics (cognitive, emotive, socio-communicative, and academic) of a group of 54 females with ASD matched to a group of 55 males with ASD (3-18 years), all without cognitive impairment. Results suggest that there are subtle, yet potentially meaningful, quantitative, and qualitative phenotypic differences between females and males that common screening tests are not always sensitive enough to recognize. Further studies to improve practice and course for the assessment of females, reducing sex/gender-based inequities in ASD care, are required.

Keywords: autism spectrum disorder; female; gender; high functioning; sex.